It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Entries by Fabian Lewkowicz (6147)

Venice Mardi Gras Parade

 

Mardi Gras Parade on Venice Beach Boardwalk

The vibrant and colorful tradition of Mardi Gras

was brought to life on the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with the spirited parade led by the Beaucoup Brass Band, with Queen Heatha Bee and King Toussaint at the helm. The parade, a beloved annual event, was a joyful celebration of music, culture, and community that drew a diverse crowd of locals and tourists alike.

As the Beaucoup Brass Band marched along the boardwalk, their infectious music and lively energy filled the air, drawing onlookers to join in the festivities. Their performance was a testament to the power of music to unite people from all walks of life in a shared celebration of joy and creativity.

Queen Heatha Bee and King Toussaint, adorned in vibrant and regal attire, waved to the crowd with joy and enthusiasm as they led the parade through the bustling Venice Beach Boardwalk. Their presence was a testament to the rich history and tradition of Mardi Gras, a festival with roots dating back to medieval Europe that has since evolved to become a vital part of the cultural fabric of New Orleans and beyond.

For those in attendance, the parade was a feast for the senses, with colorful costumes, lively music, and a palpable sense of community spirit. The event was a testament to the power of cultural celebrations to bring people together in a shared celebration of diversity, creativity, and joy.

As the parade drew to a close, the Beaucoup Brass Band, Queen Heatha Bee, and King Toussaint continued to entertain the crowds with their music and precession, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration that lingered long after the parade had passed. For those who were lucky enough to be there, it was a day to remember, a testament to the enduring power of music and community to unite us all in a shared celebration of life.

To the sound of trumpets and drums so grand,

The Mardi Gras Parade marched on the sand,

Led by Queen Heatha Bee and King Toussaint,

A regal duo, without a complaint.

Along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, they roamed,

And the crowd's energy, the band inflamed,

With Beaucoup Brass Band's music so sweet,

The parade marched on, to its own beat.

Their melodies filled the salty air,

And everyone stopped just to stare,

As the Queen and King, regal and proud,

Led the parade with music so loud.

Onlookers danced to the rhythmic sound,

And threw beads to the crowd on the ground,

As the Mardi Gras Parade, with its joyous glee,

Filled the beach with festive revelry.

And long after the parade had passed,

The memory of the music would last,

As the Beaucoup Brass Band had brought to life,

The spirit of Mardi Gras, free from strife.

Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 03:16PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Hospitality Workers Protest for a Living Wage

Hundreds of cashiers, cooks, servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers from UNITE HERE Local 11 march at Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. A group of corporate airport executives convened an invitation-only forum at a five-star beachfront hotel while hundreds of airport industry cashiers, cooks, servers and bartenders marched outside, calling on hospitality industry leaders to help solve the city’s escalating housing crisis by supporting an increase to the minimum wage to allow workers to afford rent where they work. Inspired by the more than 1,000 hotel workers and allies who rallied outside the American Lodging Investment Summit’s annual gathering held downtown two weeks ago, the rallying Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) employees, accompanied by many hotel workers, addressed attendees of the Airports Council International-North America’s 2023 CEO Forum. The event offered “an opportunity to help set the airport industry agenda for 2023” and featured “executive-level discussions on the North American and global state of the industry,” according to its Web site. Carrying signs that read “Affordable Housing Now!,” “Rent Is Too Damn High!” and “Raise the Minimum Wage,” the airport and hospitality workers pointed to LAX’s current minimum wage of $18.04 an hour as a contributing factor in their—and in other working Angelenos'—inability to afford housing in Los Angeles. “Although I welcome guests into our beautiful city every day, I can’t afford to live in LA,” said Eleanor Ramos, who’s worked as a bartender at LAX for the last 26 years. “After my apartment building was bought up, my rent went from $925 a month to $1,395 a month overnight. I am barely hanging on to my housing. I’ve seen how many senior citizens have been left homeless and I worry that that will be me someday.” The current airport minimum wage of $18.04 an hour would require an airport worker to labor 17 hours a day to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles. “Today, it’s clear that there are two perspectives in the tourism industry,” UNITE HERE Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen said. “One of them is in that gathering of airport CEOs inside that hotel, where the bosses are celebrating their historic profits since the start of the pandemic, because airports and hotels are full once again. The other perspective is here, among us. We are not paid enough, and we can’t afford rent. More and more of us are forced to move to cities and towns like California City, Apple Valley and Lancaster because we can’t afford rent here in Los Angeles. That’s an insult and we must change this situation.” Closing out the evening, and as a nod to the hotel hosting the CEO forum, hotel seamstress and Gardena resident Carmen de Castro spoke of not being able to afford rent in Santa Monica, where her employer is located; of long commute times to and from work; and of an uncertain future. “It’s not fair that after 18 years of working for this hotel, we can’t count on a secure and adequate retirement,” de Castro said. “It’s not fair that we can’t count on a fair wage to be able to afford rent in the city where we work. That’s why I’m here today, to tell those airport bosses gathered inside that luxury hotel that we demand an increase to the minimum wage, but above all we demand to be treated with dignity and respect!” UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports.
Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 02:28PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

WestSide VW Club Meet-up

Highlights from the WestSide VolksWagen Club & Monthly VW Coffee Meet at Santa Monica Beach on February 5, 2023. WestSide VW Club & Monthly VW Coffee Meet meets the first Sunday of every month. All vintage VW's are welcome. #VW #Vokswagen @westsidevwclub

Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 07:32AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

NASCAR Sand Castle at Santa Monica Beach

Archisand Inc. Professional Sand Castle Builder Greg Leon builds a NASCAR themed sand castle at Santa Monica Beach on Friday, February 3, 2023. The sand castle is a promotion for NASCAR’s season-opening Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum Race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday. Archisand Inc. are professional sand sculptures from around the world for over 40 years. They are available for corporate events, engagements, and parties. Archisand Inc. are 7 time US Open Sand Castle Champions.

Posted on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 07:30AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Golden Hour Grand Piano

People play a grand piano at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The piano plays, Golden Hour" by JVKE at 4pm.

Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 07:27AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

L.A. Shuffle Squad Meetup in Venice

L.A. Shuffle Squad (@lashufflesquad) Meetup at Venice Beach on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Music by Secret Sauce Events @secretsauceevents6256

Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 07:25AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

OBEY Santa Monica

Artist Frank Shepard Fairey (@obeygiant) @obeygiantart and crew paint a mural on the Pierside Hotel in Santa Monica on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Frank Shepard Fairey (@obeygiant) is an American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. Fairey is perhaps best known for his iconic 2008 “Hope” poster depicting then U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. In 1989 he designed the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign while attending the Rhode Island School of Design.

Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 07:22AM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Mounted Police Patrol Beach

Santa Monica Mounted Police Officers patrol at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 08:41PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint
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